Aloha Fashion
So today I leave for two weeks in Hawaii (yeah for the standard American Honeymoon!) and in that vein, I thought I would highlight the collection of the University of Hawaii.
Yes, the Hawaiian shirt has come to be the cliche’d attire of ‘men of a certain age’ but there is more to the fashion of Hawaii. Recently, the University at Manoa had a small exhibition covering 50 years of Fashion in Hawaii and now present the exhibition online via Flickr.
Here are just a few of my favorites:
1900s Holoku with Lace Trim on Collar & Cuffs
Accession #: W.98.1.17
Fabrication: White cotton
Manufacturer:: Unknown
Donor: Unknown
1960s Holoku with train
Accession #: 74.7.3 S.D.
Fabrication: white matelasse
Designer: Joan Izutsu
Donor: Univ. of Hawaii Senior Design purchase,: Joan Izutsu, designer
1940s Sailor Moku Swimsuit
Accession #: H. 1995.6.36
Fabrication: Cotton
Manufacturer: Royal Hawaiian Manufacturing Co.
Donor: Unknown
1930s Black Lace, Floor-length Gown With Sheer Nylon Yoke
Accession #: W.2007.2.10
Fabrication: Nylon with Cotton Lace
Designer: Ethel de Saussure
Donor: Diane Okubo
1980s 2 Piece Pants Suit
Acc. W. 1998.11.6 a & b
Fabric: Brocade
Manufacturer: Elenore Simmons for Malcom Starr for Carol & Mary
Donor: Unknown
Disappointingly, the online version of the exhibitoin provides no descriptive text or context for the peices chosen. Information on designers, makers or socio-cultural significance are non-existant leaving the virtual viewers with nothing but pretty photos. No explanation is provided for what a Holoku is. Interested readers can refer to these two articles in Clothing and Textiles Research Journal and Fashion Theory by Linda B Arthur of the Unviersity of Hawaii at Manoa for more information on the Holoku. An overview of the physical exhibiton is available here.
Maholo!
Kat said,
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:26 am
we just learned about pinapple fibers in my fiber and fabrics class, cool stuff and looks really comfortable, try and pick something up if you can!! have a great time!!